Author: International Crisis Group
Title: Haiti: Justice Reform and the Security Crisis
Summary: Violent and organised crime threatens to overwhelm Haiti. The justice system is weak and dysfunctional, no match for the rising wave of kidnappings, drug and human trafficking, assaults and rapes. If the efforts of the last three years to establish the rule of law and a stable democracy are to bear fruit urgent action is needed. Above all the Haitian government must demonstrate genuine political will to master the problem. But the international community also has a major support role. The immediate need is to establish, staff and equip two special courts, one a domestic criminal chamber to handle major crimes, the other a hybrid Haitian/international tribunal to deal with cases of transnational, organised crime that the country can not tackle on its own. Crime has surged in Haiti since courthouses and prisons were looted in the lead-up to former President Aristide's departure in 2004. Judicial incompetence and corruption are widespread, partly due to inadequate pay, infrastructure and logistical support. The legal code is antiquated, judges are not independent, case management is poor and indigent defendants rarely have counsel. The state cannot guarantee security for its citizens or rights for defendants and the court system is virtually incapable of conducting trials. The results of this include prolonged pre-trial detention, lack of due process and a near total absence of public confidence in the criminal justice system. Since 2004 donors have begun again to assist with justice reform in Haiti, having largely ceased assistance in 2000. Haiti's ministry of justice has approved a comprehensive plan for better coordination of Haitian and international justice reform activities. If the reforms are to become reality, the government must demonstrate new political will, donors must provide support and financial resources must match ambitions.
Details: Port-au-Prince/Brussels: International Crisis Group, 2007. 15p.
Source: Internet Resource: Latin America/Caribbean Briefing No. 14
Year: 2007
Country: Haiti
URL:
Shelf Number: 119730
Keywords:
Criminal Justice Administration, Reform ofCriminal Justice Systems (Haiti)Organized Crime (Haiti)Violence (Haiti) |
